wry-faced, a.
(stress variable)
[f. wry a. 2.]
Having the face out of line with the neck and chest; also, that has or makes a wry face.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 14 Antiphilus made a very noble one [i.e. picture of a satyr] in a Panthers skin, calling it Aposcopon, that is, Wri-faced. 1611 Cotgr., Caravirée, a wry-mouthed, or wry-faced wench; or one that often makes wry mouthes, or ill fauoured wry faces. 1684 Lond. Gaz. No. 1990/4 One of the Robbers was..Wrifaced and Pock-broken. 1803 Fessenden Poet. Petit. 87 Each wry⁓fac'd rogue, and dirty trollop. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xvii, You snivelling, wry-faced, puny villain. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 17 Feb. 9/3 A slim, wry-faced man. |
| transf. 1687 Settle Refl. Dryden 83 What a wry faced contradiction is here? |